Last Day on the MV Explorer

Last night I was up until late sharing photos, music, and stories of the last three months. I actually went to bed (after drifting off a few times) at 3am. At 5:45am my alarm went off but I barely woke up as I turned it off and went back to bed. At 6am I awoke to "America" by Neil Diamond playing on the loud speaker. My first thought was if someone had mysteriously turned on the TV. I rolled out of bed and went to breakfast just in time to see my last sunrise aboard the MV Explorer. It was the perfect way to end the voyage. The previous night everyone was on the front of the ship watching the sunset and tonight we witnessed the last sunrise. Our cylce is complete.

 

My bags are packed (miraculously!). My carry-ons are busting at the seams and each of my checked bags are at 50 lbs plus or minus some rocking of the ship. Everything fits and no sacrafices were made. I have said my good-byes and turned my journal into a mini year book where friends have written to keep the memories. Now I am waiting.

 

I am in Florida on the ship waiting for bags to be unloaded and immigrations to clear us. I am waiting for an enevitable end to a voyage and the beginning of another adventure. I do not feel sad to leave my shipmates. I feel happy for the friends I have made. In ten years, if anyone from SAS gives me a call I would be happy; I have joined a new group, a new family. Although I never joined a sorority, SAS is now my academic and worldly community.  

Alumni Ball

Today I took a final exam, attended my last class of global perspectives on work and family and finished my undergraduate career. I am now done with college and in a few days will return to the United States to begin the process of finding a job and building a career. I am scared and excited. I face endless options and possibilities that need to be narrowed down to just a few decisions.

Tonight however, I am celebrating the time I have had on the MV Explorer. My friends and I dressed up for the Alumni Ball, (because now all the students are Semester at Sea Alumni) and ate a fancy dinner before an open dessert bar and dance take the evening away. We are all taking pictures and getting contact information. We laugh and hug as we realize our time together is limited. At the moment we are singing songs and waiting for the dessert bar (that is beautiful and elaborately decorated) to open.